Toilet moderniser

ABSTRACT

A toilet modernizer is provided for allowing touchless manipulation of a toilet seat and lid by a user. An outer housing that is attachable under the toilet lid contains the other components of the device in one simple module. As part of the module, a latching member actuated by a user-manipulated actuator element selectively latches and unlatches the seat and lid, so that the user can select to lift the two elements as a unit or to lift only the lid, all the while without having to touch any part of the toilet. In an embodiment a lighting element is included, and in a further embodiment, a scent spray module is also included in the module.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is related generally to household toilet devices, and, more particularly, to a system and method for improving the convenience and use of a household toilet device.

BACKGROUND

The technology underlying the modern toilet was invented in the 1700's, but there has been little substantial improvement since that time. In particular, while complaints of inadequacy abound, solutions to noted problems have been few and far between. For example, men and women employ the traditional toilet in different ways, and this is a known source of conflict and disagreement, and yet little has been done to address the issue.

The current state of technology as to that particular issue is for men to lift the seat prior to urinating and then lower the seat again after urinating. While this is a simple system, it is not reliable nor is it convenient. In addition, even if properly executed, it does not solve other conflicts that arise in low light settings such as during night time use.

While the present disclosure is directed to a system that can eliminate certain shortcomings noted in or apparent from this Background section, it should be appreciated that such a benefit is neither a limitation on the scope of the disclosed principles nor of the attached claims, except to the extent expressly noted in the claims. Additionally, the discussion of technology in this Background section is reflective of the inventors' own observations, considerations, and thoughts, and is in no way intended to accurately catalog or comprehensively summarize the art currently in the public domain. As such, the inventors expressly disclaim this section as admitted or assumed prior art. Moreover, the identification or implication above of a desirable course of action reflects the inventors' own observations and ideas, and should not be assumed to indicate an art-recognized desirability.

SUMMARY

In keeping with an embodiment of the disclosed principles, a toilet modernizer device includes a housing configured for attachment beneath a lid of a toilet and a latching member having a first position wherein the latching member latches under a seat of the toilet so as to lift the toilet seat when the housing is lifted, and a second position wherein the latching member clears the toilet seat such that only the toilet lid is lifted when the housing is lifted. An actuator member is included, having a grip portion for the user to grip the actuator member. The actuator member is linked to the latching member for moving the latching member between the first position and the second position.

In keeping with another embodiment of the disclosed principles, a toilet includes a housing attached to the lid, a latching member having a first position wherein the latching member latches under the seat and a second position wherein the latching member clears the seat. An actuator member having a grip is linked to the latching member and enables a user to move the latching member between the first position and the second position.

Other features and aspects of embodiments of the disclosed principles will be appreciated from the detailed disclosure taken in conjunction with the included figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

While the appended claims set forth the features of the present techniques with particularity, these techniques, together with their objects and advantages, may be best understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a toilet assembly in relation to which embodiments of the disclosed principles may be implemented;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a toilet and toilet moderniser in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed principles;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of an alternative lever system in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed principles;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a toilet and toilet moderniser in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the disclosed principles;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a toilet moderniser in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the disclosed principles; and

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a toilet moderniser in accordance with a further alternative embodiment of the disclosed principles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before presenting a fuller discussion of the disclosed principles, an overview is given to aid the reader in understanding the later material. As noted above, despite the almost ancient nature of the modern toilet, there have been no substantial steps taken to eliminate the known problem of leaving the seat up or down as the case may be, nor has the toilet become any easier to use in low light conditions such as during night time use.

However, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed principles, a toilet moderniser device is provided which allows movement of the toilet seat up and down without requiring the user to contact the seat. In a further embodiment, the device provides illumination for low light conditions and may also provide a triggered, timed or manual scent function to allow a fragrance or deodorizing spray to be emitted.

With this overview in mind, and turning now to a more detailed discussion in conjunction with the attached figures, FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a toilet, toilet seat and toilet lid within which embodiments of the disclosed principles may be implemented. The illustrated toilet 100 includes a bowl 101 as well as a seat 103 and a lid or cover 105. Each of the seat 103 and lid 105 is liftable such that the toilet 100 may be used with the lid 105 up and the seat 103 down, or with the lid 105 up and the seat 103 up as well. Typically, female users will use the toilet 101 in the first mode while male users will use the toilet 100 in the second mode, especially while urinating.

As noted above, male users may neglect to return the seat 103 to the lowered position after urinating, thus causing a subsequent female user to accidentally sit directly on the rim of the bowl 101. This not only causes consternation in the female user, but may also pose a hygienic issue.

Turning to FIG. 2, this figure shows a toilet 200 such as that shown in FIG. 1, including a moderniser 207 in keeping with an embodiment of the disclosed principles. The moderniser 207 in the illustrated embodiment comprises a body portion 203 which may be made of one or more parts and which generally houses the remainder of the elements of the moderniser 207. In the illustrated embodiment, the moderniser 207 is affixed to an underside of the lid 205. The manner of affixing the toilet moderniser 207 to the lid 205 is not critical, and any permanent or impermanent means may be used, including screws, nails, Velcro™, suction cups, adhesives and so on.

A prominent feature of the moderniser 207 in the illustrated embodiment is a lever or arm 209 that, when moved, allows the user to connect the seat 203 to the lid 205 or to detach the seat 203 from the lid 205. The lever 209 may also serve as a holding point to allow the user to lift the moderniser 207, thus lifting the lid 205 and also lifting the seat 203 if the two are attached.

The mechanism by which the lever 209 attaches and detaches the seat 203 from the lid 205 is not critical, but in an embodiment the lever 209 attaches to a latch member 211, such that pivoting of the lever 209 serves to pivot the latch member 211 into engagement under the seat 205. In other embodiments, the lever 209 may be pulled in and out to attach/detach and detach/attach the seat 203 and lid 205. Any number of variations are possible, although it is not preferred to have the lever 209 operate vertically since the lever 209 may also be used as a control point by the user to lift and lower the seat 203 and lid 205 together, or the lid 205 alone.

FIG. 3 is an overhead plan view of the latch and lever portion of the moderniser 207. As can be seen, in the illustrated embodiment, the latch member 211 is not only displaced downward from the lever 209 but is also disposed at a right angle to the lever 209.

In the configuration shown, the lever 209 includes a finger hole 301 to allow the user to easily slide the lever 209 and lift and lower the moderniser and the seat 203 or the seat 203/lid 205 unit. Other shapes may be used to allow easy grip by the user's hand, including dimples, serrations and so on. It is preferred that the length of the lever and location of the finger hole 301 are such that the user's finger is spaced away from the lid 205 and seat 203 to avoid accidental touching of the user's finger to any component of the toilet.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative configuration of the moderniser 207 in which a slide latch is used instead of a rotating latch. In this embodiment, the lever 400 slides in and out of the moderniser 207 housing, and an attached latch 401 slides with it. The attached latch 401 is located so as to engage the seat 203 when the lever 400 is pulled outward to the extended position, and to disengage the seat 203 when the lever 400 is pushed inward to the compressed position.

Although pivoting and outwardly sliding latches have been shown by way of example, it will be appreciated that other types of latch mechanisms are possible. These include for example, twisting latches, laterally sliding latches, pinch latches and so on. Also, although the latching element is shown to be inward of the seat in the examples, other configurations are possible. For example, the latching element may be outside the seat instead, although this would make the latch element visible to the user.

As noted above, the toilet moderniser described herein may also include a lighting option and/or a fragrance option. With respect to the lighting option, the toilet moderniser in this embodiment includes a light such as an LED that directs illumination to aid the user in low light conditions. An example of this embodiment is shown in FIG. 5.

In particular, FIG. 5 shows a simplified cross-sectional side view of the toilet moderniser 500 wherein a lighting fixture 501 is included in the housing 503 of the moderniser 500. As noted above, the lighting fixture 501 may comprise an LED or other light source and is powered by one or more batteries 505 within the housing 503. A hatch 507 in the housing 503 allows the batteries to be changed. In the event that rechargeable batteries 505 are used, a charging port (not shown) may be provided.

In a further related embodiment, a light sensor 509 is provided to trigger the lighting fixture 501. For example, the lighting fixture 501 may be turned on when low light conditions are detected by the light sensor 509 and may be turned off when normal lighting is detected. Although the placement of the light sensor 509 and the lighting fixture 501 are not critical, placing the light sensor 509 at the opposite side of the device as the lighting fixture 501 as shown may provide an efficient way to prevent the turning on of the lighting fixture 501 from triggering the light sensor 509 to depower the lighting fixture 501.

It was also noted above that a fragrance option is provided in an embodiment of the disclosed principles. In this embodiment, the fragrance option includes a canister or other container, preferably under pressure, that may be selectively triggered to release a controlled amount of a scent or deodorant. An example of this embodiment is shown FIG. 6.

The embodiment of the toilet moderniser 600 illustrated in FIG. 6 shows a fragrance canister 601 within the housing 603 and having an outlet through the housing 603. The canister 601 is linked to a trigger 605, which may be electrical or mechanical. In an optional embodiment, the trigger 605 is electronic and is based on presence detection, e.g., via IR or optical sensing. In an alternative optional embodiment, the trigger 605 is manual and is depressed by the user when desired.

Although the various embodiments are shown separately for clarity, it will be appreciated that the options need not be used one at a time and may of course be combined in a single implementation of the moderniser. Thus, for example, in an embodiment the moderniser includes both a lighting option and a scent or fragrance option. Alternatively either option alone may be provided in an implementation.

It will be appreciated that the described toilet moderniser is not permanently affixed to the toilet lid but instead can be added to or removed from the toilet lid with little effort and without modification (other than possibly screw holes) to the lid. As noted above, the attachment mechanism may be one or more of screws (wood screws or machine screws and matching threaded inserts), bolts and nuts, Velcro, adhesives, suction cups and so on.

It will be appreciated that system and techniques for improved toilet operation have been disclosed herein. However, in view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of the present disclosure may be applied, it should be recognized that the embodiments described herein with respect to the drawing figures are meant to be illustrative only and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the claims. Therefore, the techniques as described herein contemplate all such embodiments as may come within the scope of the following claims and equivalents thereof 

We claim:
 1. A toilet modernizer device comprising: a housing configured for attachment beneath a lid of a toilet; a latching member having a first position wherein the latching member latches under a seat of the toilet so as to lift the toilet seat when the housing is lifted, and a second position wherein the latching member clears the toilet seat such that only the toilet lid is lifted when the housing is lifted; and an actuator member having a grip portion for the user to grip the actuator member, the actuator member being linked to the latching member for moving the latching member between the first position and the second position.
 2. The toilet modernizer device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the housing is configured for attachment to the toilet seat by one or more threaded attachment elements.
 3. The toilet modernizer device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the housing is configured for attachment to the toilet seat by hook and loop fastener.
 4. The toilet modernizer device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises an adhesive for attachment to the toilet seat.
 5. The toilet modernizer device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the actuator member grip portion includes one or more finger holes.
 6. The toilet modernizer device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the latching member is mounted to the housing to allow sliding of the latching member between the first and second positions.
 7. The toilet modernizer device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the latching member is pivotally mounted to the housing to allow pivoting of the latching member between the first and second positions.
 8. The toilet modernizer device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the latching member is mounted to the housing via a hinge to allow swinging of the latching member between the first and second positions.
 9. The toilet modernizer device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a lighting element and an electronic circuit configured to selectively light the lighting element.
 10. The toilet modernizer device in accordance with claim 9, wherein the lighting element included at least one LED.
 11. The toilet modernizer device in accordance with claim 9, wherein the electronic circuit is configured to turn the lighting element on when a low light condition is detected and to turn the lighting element off in the absence of a low light condition.
 12. The toilet modernizer device in accordance with claim 9, wherein the electronic circuit includes a user actuator usable by the user to turn the lighting element on and off
 13. The toilet modernizer device in accordance with claim 9, further comprising a scent module for selectively emitting a scent spray, wherein the scent module is configured for one of manual actuation by the user and automatic actuation by an electric circuit based on movement of the latch element.
 14. A toilet comprising: a bowl, a seat and a lid; and a device attached to the seat comprising: a housing attached to the lid, a latching member having a first position wherein the latching member latches under the seat and a second position wherein the latching member clears the seat, and an actuator member having a grip portion, the actuator member being linked to the latching member for moving the latching member between the first position and the second position under control of the grip portion.
 15. The toilet in accordance with claim 14, wherein the actuator member grip portion includes one or more finger holes.
 16. The toilet in accordance with claim 14, wherein the latching member is slidably mounted to the housing to allow sliding of the latching member between the first and second positions.
 17. The toilet in accordance with claim 14, wherein the latching member is pivotally mounted to the housing to allow pivoting of the latching member between the first and second positions.
 18. The toilet in accordance with claim 14, latching member is mounted to the housing via a hinge to allow swinging of the latching member between the first and second positions.
 19. The toilet in accordance with claim 14, wherein the device attached to the seat further comprises a lighting element and an electronic circuit configured to turn the lighting element on when a low light condition is detected and to turn the lighting element off in the absence of a low light condition.
 20. The toilet in accordance with claim 14, wherein the device attached to the seat further comprises a scent module for selectively emitting a scent spray, wherein the scent module is configured for one of manual actuation by the user and automatic actuation by an electric circuit based on movement of the latch element. 